If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about testing your hearing until there’s a problem. And by that time, you may have significant hearing loss. Onset can be a gradual process, so by the time you realize you have a hearing issue, your life and health may already feel the effects. That’s why it’s important to get regular hearing checks – not just when there’s an obvious problem, but also as part of your overall health routine. There are several types of hearing evaluations, such as a traditional test or an ABR hearing test that doesn’t require you to respond. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 10 reasons to get check your hearing.
Why Should You Evaluate Your Hearing?
- Quality of Life. Hearing loss can have a significant impact on your quality of life. It can make it difficult to communicate with others, and thus enjoy and fully participate in life. Hearing loss can also cause problems at work, making it difficult to hear important instructions or colleagues. In order to prevent the effects of hearing loss on your quality of life, those over the age of 50 should get a hearing test every three years. If you’re under the age of 50 and have risk factors for hearing loss, such as working in a noisy environment or having certain medical conditions or known hearing loss test every five years. And if you have symptoms of hearing loss, you should get a test as soon as possible.
- Missing Out. One of the most frustrating things about hearing loss is missing out on important conversations. Whether you’re at a family gathering or out with friends, hearing loss can make it difficult to follow along and can leave you feeling left out. Hearing loss can be gradual in onset, meaning that you’re missing out on more than you realize.
- Safety. Hearing loss can even be dangerous, as it can make it difficult to hear things like sirens, approaching vehicles, or warning alarms. If you have hearing loss, there are many different treatment options available. Hearing aids can help improve hearing, alerting you to your environment and helping to keep you safe.
- Physical Health. Hearing is one metric of your overall health and can give insight into other underlying health conditions. For example, diabetes and cardiovascular health can affect hearing and result in certain types of hearing configuration. Getting a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist will give you a good picture of your hearing health in the context of your overall health.
- Finances. Hearing loss can impact the amount of money you are able to earn in your career. Estimates speculate that employees lose on average $30,000 per year in annual salary potential with untreated hearing loss. Additionally, according to a recent study, those with untreated hearing loss will have an additional $22,434 in healthcare costs over ten years than patients with normal hearing. Meaning that untreated hearing loss can cause someone to both miss out on earning potential and cost more money in health expenses.
- Memory. A recent study has shown that hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of dementia. The study found that those with hearing loss were 24% more likely to develop dementia over a period of six years than those without hearing loss. One theory regarding this relationship is that hearing loss causes changes in the brain which lead to dementia. Getting a hearing evaluation and wearing hearing aids regularly can help make information much easier to understand, which can facilitate better neural encoding of memory. As we see, hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia, so it’s important to get your hearing checked if you’re concerned about cognitive decline. Read more here.
- Social. Hearing loss can impact communication with friends, family, and colleagues. If you have hearing loss, you may find yourself withdrawing from social activities, as it becomes more and more difficult to communicate. This can lead to isolation and depression. Additionally, hearing loss can cause problems at work, as it becomes difficult to hear important instructions or colleagues.
- Prevent falls. A recent study found that those with hearing loss were three times more likely to fall than those without hearing loss. The study found that hearing loss caused problems with balance and environmental awareness, both of which can lead to falls. For seniors, falls are the number one cause of death or injury. If you have hearing difficulty, don’t wait to get your hearing tested. Treating your hearing loss can help you live a long and healthy life.
- Mental Health. Hearing loss can cause anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. One study found that those with hearing loss were more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those without hearing loss. Additionally, due to the effect of anxiety and depression, hearing loss can also lead to difficulty with getting quality sleep.
- It’s Easy! Luckily, testing your hearing is not a difficult procedure. How long does a hearing test take? It usually takes about 30 minutes for a comprehensive evaluation, and the information you get from this test can make a huge impact on your overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
Bottom line
Don’t wait until you have a problem to test your hearing – make sure to get one as part of your regular health routine. And if you’re experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about getting a test right away. Early detection and treatment is the key to preserving your hearing and maintaining your quality of life.
Where to get a hearing test? Visit a local audiologist to get a comprehensive test.
Do you have any questions about hearing? Hearing loss is a common problem, but it’s one that many people don’t think about until there’s an obvious issue. It’s important to get a regular test for hearing loss – not just when there’s an obvious problem, but also as part of your overall health routine.
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